nfraser01 wrote on 2025-07-23, 20:29:

Nice retro looking ATX desktop case...

It is nice. I saw that one listed but passed because of the PSU form factor (SFX?).

Bought this HP Proliant ML115 that was supposedly working, but it has lots of problems:

• Keyboard doesn't work. It will just light up all LEDs when first pressing the power button and then not respond to key presses.
• Came with 3 non-ECC memory sticks besides the single ECC original one, but I can't get it to boot when any of the non-ECC sticks are inserted.
• Will hang a few seconds after booting from CD and doesn't seem to boot from any other media type.
• The BIOS recovery process (has a jumper for that) doesn't seem to work at all.
• PSU is not the original one, but I only noticed when I got home.

It seems to have a few bulging caps, but I'm unsure if it's worth it to replace them, since I've never seem these kinds of issues before on other boards with bad caps. It's still a nice case though, and will look great after a good cleaning, so I can always use it for a custom build.

Managed to score locally this beauty (TC430HX). Looks like solid DOS machine with S3 graphics and Yamaha OPL+MIDI.
If I'm not mistaken this is intel board, but it's brown? Anyways it feels very robust. That linear voltage regulator heatsink is massive. I also like CPU heatsink with slightly shifting golden shade...
There is one VRE jumper which puzzles me. It's missing but board booted up. I have 166MMX there atm I suppose it should be in "Standard".
Need to sort out how to get into bios, because atm after pressing F2 it seems to be stuck with "scanning ROM options" something message.

vutt wrote on Today, 16:07:

Managed to score locally this beauty (TC430HX). Looks like solid DOS machine with S3 graphics and Yamaha OPL+MIDI. If I'm not m […]
Show full quote

Managed to score locally this beauty (TC430HX). Looks like solid DOS machine with S3 graphics and Yamaha OPL+MIDI.
If I'm not mistaken this is intel board, but it's brown? Anyways it feels very robust. That linear voltage regulator heatsink is massive. I also like CPU heatsink with slightly shifting golden shade...
There is one VRE jumper which puzzles me. It's missing but board booted up. I have 166MMX there atm I suppose it should be in "Standard".
Need to sort out how to get into bios, because atm after pressing F2 it seems to be stuck with "scanning ROM options" something message.

wow that looks nice.

vutt wrote on Today, 16:07:

Managed to score locally this beauty (TC430HX). Looks like solid DOS machine with S3 graphics and Yamaha OPL+MIDI. If I'm not m […]
Show full quote

Managed to score locally this beauty (TC430HX). Looks like solid DOS machine with S3 graphics and Yamaha OPL+MIDI.
If I'm not mistaken this is intel board, but it's brown? Anyways it feels very robust. That linear voltage regulator heatsink is massive. I also like CPU heatsink with slightly shifting golden shade...
There is one VRE jumper which puzzles me. It's missing but board booted up. I have 166MMX there atm I suppose it should be in "Standard".
Need to sort out how to get into bios, because atm after pressing F2 it seems to be stuck with "scanning ROM options" something message.

There is a very similar Intel board that uses the 430TX chipset (with optional onboard ATI Rage II). Yours is a very solid board. It would support more cached memory than the 430TX, but the TX conveniently uses SDRAM.

See here for my repairs on my 430TX:

Any ideas on how to repair this Socket 7 motherboard?

I also did a repair on an TC430HX which uses the green PCB, for reference:

Intel TC430HX Socket 7 motherboard repair

Note that the onboard S3 BIOS suffers from the overbright bug.

Re: S3VBEFIX - PC\MS-DOS TSR fix for S3 VESA 2.0 video BIOS

Got this beat up CM-32L today, do you reckon its easy and safe to remove the case do a bit of retro brightening?

amontre wrote on Today, 16:39:

Got this beat up CM-32L today, do you reckon its easy and safe to remove the case do a bit of retro brightening?

I've disassembled all of my vintage synthesizers, including this one. It's very easy to take apart, since there is no front panel or buttons, and only a few rear connections. Make sure to pull the volume knob straight out before removing the case. The power button is inside the case; don't try to pull on that or it will break.

amontre wrote on Today, 16:39:

Got this beat up CM-32L today, do you reckon its easy and safe to remove the case do a bit of retro brightening?

The attachment IMG_1462.jpeg is no longer available

Make sure you clean it very thoroughly first or the retrobrighting could end up splotchy and uneven.

I've had very good results cleaning old electronics using Goo Off and then isopropyl alcohol; especially those with textured surfaces. Goo Gone is also great for tough to remove spots, but is quite a bit harsher than Goo Off.

Note that these surface cleaners always have the risk of removing paint. I had this happen when I used Goo Off on an old VCR. It should be perfectly safe on straight ABS plastic. When it doubt, use mild dish soap and water to prevent damage to the paint.

Kahenraz wrote on Today, 16:18:

There is a very similar Intel board that uses the 430TX chipset (with optional onboard ATI Rage II). Yours is a very solid board […]
Show full quote

vutt wrote on Today, 16:07:

Managed to score locally this beauty (TC430HX). Looks like solid DOS machine with S3 graphics and Yamaha OPL+MIDI. If I'm not m […]
Show full quote

Managed to score locally this beauty (TC430HX). Looks like solid DOS machine with S3 graphics and Yamaha OPL+MIDI.
If I'm not mistaken this is intel board, but it's brown? Anyways it feels very robust. That linear voltage regulator heatsink is massive. I also like CPU heatsink with slightly shifting golden shade...
There is one VRE jumper which puzzles me. It's missing but board booted up. I have 166MMX there atm I suppose it should be in "Standard".
Need to sort out how to get into bios, because atm after pressing F2 it seems to be stuck with "scanning ROM options" something message.

There is a very similar Intel board that uses the 430TX chipset (with optional onboard ATI Rage II). Yours is a very solid board. It would support more cached memory than the 430TX, but the TX conveniently uses SDRAM.

See here for my repairs on my 430TX:

Any ideas on how to repair this Socket 7 motherboard?

I also did a repair on an TC430HX which uses the green PCB, for reference:

Intel TC430HX Socket 7 motherboard repair

Note that the onboard S3 BIOS suffers from the overbright bug.

Re: S3VBEFIX - PC\MS-DOS TSR fix for S3 VESA 2.0 video BIOS

This motherboard does not have a second tag ram nor socket for second tag ram. 64MB max cache-able. There are caveats even one have a HX chipset. Takes skill to spot a motherboard with spot for second tag ram to go with HX chipset. I have to choose HX boards with care to have dual tag ram chips.

Cheers,